contractée

Contractée is the feminine singular past participle of the French verb contracter. It is used as a past participle in compound tenses (often with avoir) and as an adjective agreeing with a feminine noun. The masculine form is contracté, and the plural forms are contractés (masc.) and contractées (fem.).

Etymology: contractée derives from Latin contractus, from con- (together) and trahere (to draw). It entered French through the development of the verb contracter, which means to draw together, to shorten, and in medical or figurative senses to catch or incur.

Meanings and usage: The primary senses include:

- To contract a disease: elle a contracté une grippe. This refers to catching or acquiring an illness.

- To incur debts or obligations: la dette contractée par l’entreprise est remboursable. This describes liabilities that have been incurred.

- To contract or draw together, as in physiology or physical state: un muscle contracté, une peau contractée (the contracted muscle or the tightened skin).

Grammatical notes: As a past participle, contractée agrees with the feminine noun it accompanies. When used in compound tenses with avoir, the participle agrees with a preceding direct object, e.g., la dette que j’ai contractée. In passive or semi-passive constructions, such as la maladie est contractée, the participle agrees with the subject.

Forms: contracté (m.s.), contractée (f.s.), contractés (m.p.), contractées (f.p.).